Frank van Gelder, Business Consultant for Adelantex, Cool chain airfreight projects, will challenge the airfreight sector about unnecessary food losses and perishable supply chain inefficiencies at this year’s Cool Logistics Global conference, taking place on 24-26 September in Rotterdam.

According to van Gelder, current practices in the perishable airfreight supply chain will have to change, if not, more commodities such as fresh fruit and vegetables will continue to opt for cheaper sea transport. “Given the onward march of technology even significant volumes of fresh seafood could gravitate away from airfreight in the future”, adds Alex von Stempel, Managing Director, Cool Logistics Resources Ltd.

Joining the speakers for a closing panel debate will be two major perishable cargo owners: salmon giant Marine Harvest, represented by Arne Lossius, Director of Marine Harvest Terminal, one of the world’s largest exporter of salmon, and Andreas Allenspach, former fresh produce category buyer at Swiss Retail major Migros.

Cool Logistics Global is convened this year under the headline theme 'Transparent, efficient and fair: Charting a new course for global perishable supply chain operations.' Covering two days of business sessions, a full day of operational debate, field trips to a FloraHolland flower auction and Maasvlakte 2 port development, plus two evening receptions, the event once again brings together shippers, carriers, 3PLs, ports and terminals, technology providers and other key stakeholders to network in advance of annual contract negotiations.

The full programme and list of participating speakers and delegate companies can be viewed here.